USDA Designates Hawaii County in Hawaii as a Primary Natural Disaster Area

Release No. 0035.16

Contact:Latawnya Dia(202) 720-7962

WASHINGTON, April 13, 2016 — The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has designated Hawaii County in Hawaii as a primary natural disaster area due to damages and losses caused by a recent drought.

“Our hearts go out to those Hawaii farmers and ranchers affected by the recent natural disaster,” said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. “President Obama and I are committed to ensuring that agriculture remains a bright spot in our nation’s economy by sustaining the successes of America’s farmers, ranchers, and rural communities through these difficult times. We’re also telling Hawaii producers that USDA stands with you and your communities when severe weather and natural disasters threaten to disrupt your livelihood.”

Hawaii County was designated a natural disaster area on April 13, 2016, making all qualified farm operators in the designated area eligible for low interest emergency (EM) loans from USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA), provided eligibility requirements are met. Farmers in Hawaii County have eight months from the date of the declaration to apply for loans to help cover part of their actual losses. FSA will consider each loan application on its own merits, taking into account the extent of losses, security available and repayment ability. FSA has a variety of programs, in addition to the EM loan program, to help eligible farmers recover from adversity.